U.S. imposes sanctions on Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam

The Trump administration will impose a fresh round of sanctions on 11 individuals, including Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, as tensions between the United States and China accelerate.

The Treasury Department designated Lam for her role in overseeing and “implementing Beijing’s policies of suppression of freedom and democratic processes.”

According to the department, Lam, the city’s chief executive, pushed last year to allow for extradition to mainland China, setting off a series of massive anti-government demonstrations in Hong Kong.

“The United States stands with the people of Hong Kong and we will use our tools and authorities to target those undermining their autonomy,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a release Friday announcing the sanctions.

The Trump administration has been critical of Beijing’s recent decision to pass a sweeping national security law aimed at limiting Hong Kong’s autonomy and banning literature critical of the Chinese Communist Party.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has described the new law as an “Orwellian move” and an assault “on the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong.”

In a statement Friday, Pompeo said: “The Chinese Communist Party has made clear that Hong Kong will never again enjoy the high degree of autonomy that Beijing itself promised to the Hong Kong people and the United Kingdom for 50 years. President Trump has made clear that the United States will therefore treat Hong Kong as ‘one country, one system,’ and take action against individuals who have crushed the Hong Kong people’s freedoms.”

Along with Lam, Treasury is also sanctioning Chris Tang, Stephen Lo, John Lee Ka-chiu, Teresa Cheng, Erick Tsang, Xia Baolong, Zhang Xiaoming, Luo Huining, Zheng Yanxiong, and Eric Chan.

“As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the individuals named above, and of any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by them, individually, or with other blocked persons, that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons, are blocked and must be reported to OFAC,” according to the announcement, referring to the Office of Foreign Assets Control.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

The new security law is the latest issue to cloud relations between Washington and Beijing. The Trump administration has blamed China for the health crisis caused by the coronavirus and has criticized Beijing for its territorial claims in the South China Sea, calling them illegal.

The world’s two largest economies are also struggling to mend trade relations, with intellectual property theft proving to be a major sticking point.


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[smileyheckster]

good unbiased reporting, i miss journalism like this. No opininons or conjecture, just the facts of what happened

[AnthonyTrimble]

Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong!

[Andersonsdanish]

Unfortunately, it won't have any impact on the leaders. The only people hurt will be the average people struggling to have enough food, and to keep a roof over their families heads.

[sdla]

Her son is actually in the U.S. and all of her family except herself, are British citizen. How ironic?!? I wonder if the U.S. govt would depot her son?!

[LL-uzbl]

Honestly, the political drama is so old these days. Now countries are all at each other's throats. She doesn't represent all of Hong Kong and Trump doesn't represent all of the U.S. This wouldn't change my opinion of HK citizens because they are people just like me. As for our governments, Its literally like watching a bunch of big babies competing and arguing while we just all stand by and watch. The fact is politicians never seem to have the interest of the people in mind...just their egos and money. I've talked to mainland Chinese and Hkers as an American and there is a warmness in realizing our governments are not us.

[vicentvanmole]

What a joke.Mrs.Lam, has been working for HK government for the HK people more the 10years.Her devotion & dedication are all for out people without bias.Unlike many politician in the past, she is very humble &has never has any scandal.I can honestly say that she is thousand of x better than Trump.Just look at what she has done to contain the virus for the HK people&citizen .Plans &plans .

[TeamLA]

How about Carrie Lam's children attending U.S. colleges? They need to be sent back to H.K.

[sabineschiu]

Carrie Lam and the rest officials are doing their job and fulfil their duties in HK. The national security in HK has been greatly welcomed by the HK people. The US govt has no right to interfere internal affairs of any other countries. Trump is distracting the US people about how bad he is handling his own country.

[enquiry-ztgv]

Today Hongkongers cheer Champagne. 🎉🎉🎉Stores sold out Champagne. Hongkongers set today as Joy to Sanction Corruption Officials Day. God Bless America. God Bless Hong Kong

[TheMjoDoj]

The Portland protesters should've been waving HK flags. The police would've started handing flat screens out of the stores to protesters.

[tn]

I’m from Hong Kong living in the US. Not a big fan of president trump. But Hong Kongers fully support this sanction

[richmondene]

if any of her sons and husband are still in britain and america how will this effect the transfer of money within her family?

[shermanngjazz]

Good job President Trump. I'm an immigrant from Hong Kong and you're gonna get my vote! #MakeHongKongGreatAgain

[EbuzzNYC]

Send cruise ships to HK and let them board and bring as many as possible to the US.

[mashlee]

Honestly don't know why USA gets so upset about HK. I mean, does HK belong to the US?

[firerain]

Oof she said WhatsApp, it’s Wechat 🤭 1:04

[peterfong]

It is about time for US do something for Hongkongers.

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[ElectronMotion]

Thank you Trump for standing up for human rights 👍🏻 I’m a Democrat and u got my vote 🗳

[chrislaw]

CNBC NEWS...** THANKS ** for the wonderful news .
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